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After a desperately much-needed victory at the weekend, Valencia will be looking to build on it as they get another chance of three points at Mestalla against an Osasuna side that are somehow looking to kick on in the top-half.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Tuesday 24th September, 2024 - UK – 6:00pm / US ET – 1:00pm / US PT – 10:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Valencia vs Osasuna may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
VALENCIA PREVIEW: AVOIDING A CRISIS
With former player Ruben Baraja still at the helm but coming under a bit of pressure amid the supporter unrest against the ownership and running of the club, Valencia had started the season by collecting just one point from their opening five matches but they did finally get a victory at the weekend.
Los Che faced what does appear to be an impressive albeit weaker Girona side at Mestalla and they pulled off a surprise 2-0 victory at the weekend. In an even contest for large parts, quick-fire goals in the early stages of the second-half with goals from Luis Rioja and Dani Gomez gave the Valencians a desperately required three points.
OSASUNA PREVIEW: THE FORTUNE OF OSASUNA
Following the departure of Jago Arrasate in the summer, after an impressive few seasons in charge of Osasuna, the Pamplona-based club opted to appoint former Almeria boss Vicente Moreno at El Sadar, who struggled badly with the Andalusians last season, and they have performed quite poorly yet suffered just two defeats in six matches.
The real Osasuna, in terms of performances, may well be their 3-1 defeat against Rayo Vallecano last weekend but the visitors have been reliant on home advantage in Navarre so once again used that to their benefit as they defeated a really poor and ineffective Las Palmas side by two goals to one at the weekend.
VALENCIA TEAM NEWS: PLENTY OF ISSUES
Due to allegations of rape made against him and now a police investigation underway, striker Rafa Mir has been internally suspended by Valencia whilst it is ongoing.
Experienced defenders Mouctar Diakhaby and Jose Luis Gaya remain long-term absentees with crucial young attacker Hugo Duro also sidelined through injury for the hosts.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Correia, Cesar Tarrega, Cristhian Mosquera, Johan Vasquez; Barrenechea, Pepelu; Diego Lopez, Javi Guerra, Luis Rioja; Dani Gomez
UNAVAILABLE: Jaume Domenech (Injured), Diakhaby (Injured), Jose Luis Gaya (Injured), Hugo Duro (Injured), Rafa Mir (Disciplinary)
QUESTIONABLE:
OSASUNA TEAM NEWS: NOTHING FRESH
There are no fresh injury concerns for this week for Osasuna with two experienced players remaining sidelined through injury with that being Iker Munoz and Kike Barja.
The visitors will not want to make any changes for this one anyway after they managed a victory at the weekend so the same again would be likely for Osasuna.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Sergio Herrera; Jesus Areso, Alejandro Catena, Boyomo, Abel Bretones; Lucas Torro; Ruben Garcia, Jon Moncayola, Aimar Oroz, Bryan Zaragoza; Budimir
UNAVAILABLE: Iker Munoz (Injured), Kike Barja (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
VALENCIA VS OSASUNA PREDICTION
Ruben Baraja and Valencia have been a bit of a mess both on and off the pitch so far this season so that massive confidence and morale boosting victory against Girona could well be the start of a mini rise. It will encourage them that Osasuna’s performances have been poor both home and away this season but their results on the road have been really poor. A double chance bet in favour of Valencia may well be solid for this one.
VALENCIA VS OSASUNA TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – VALENCIA TO WIN OR DRAW